Conditionals

Basic Usage

What is always true: present + present

If I work late, I got tired.
If the water is boiling/has boiled, it means the food is nearly ready.
What was always true: past + past
We went home early if it was foggy. If
it was snowing, we stayed at home.
Real situations: present + future
Here we think that the outcome is really possible.
If you keep driving like that, you're going to have an
accident. If you see Mark, tell him I'll ring him tomorrow.
Hypothetical situations: past + would
These are unreal or imaginary situations.
If I knew the answer, I'd tell you.
If I was having a party, I wouldn't invite Marcia.
The verb be usually takes the form were for all persons in these sentences,
though was is used in everyday speech. Note that in the first person it is
possible to use should instead of would.
If I left home, I think I should be lonely.
Hypothetical past situations: past perfect + would have
These refer to past events.
If I had known you were coming, I would have met you at the station.
With modals
Possible situations in the present
If you get wet, you should change your clothes
immediately. If you come early, we can discuss the problem
together.
Hypothetical situations
If I had the money, I could help you.
Hypothetical past situations
If you hadn't reminded me, I might have forgotten.

Variations
If only
This adds emphasis to hypothetical situations. With past events it adds a
sense of regret. The second part of the sentence is often left out.
If only I had enough time!
If only I hadn't drunk too much, this wouldn't have happened!

Unless and other alternatives to

if Unless means only if not.
I'll go ahead and get the tickets unless you call me this afternoon.
(This means if you call me this afternoon, I won't get the tickets.)
This means if one situation depends on another, if can be replaced by
as/so long as, provided or only if. See Grammar 13 for only if.
I'll do what you say provided the police are not informed.
Even if describes how something will happen whatever the condition.
Even if it rains, we'll still go for a picnic.
Past events with results in the present: past perfect + would
If Jim hadn't missed the plane, he would be here by now.
Should
After if, this makes the possibility of an event seem unlikely.
If you should see Ann, could you ask her to call me?
(This implies that I do not expect you to see Ann.)
Were to
This also makes an event seem more hypothetical.
If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say?
Happen to
This emphasises chance possibilities. It is often used with
should. If you happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call
me?
If you should happen to be passing, drop in for a cup of tea.
If it were not for/if it hadn 't been for
This describes how one event depends on another.
If it weren't for Jim, this company would be in a mess.
If it hadn't been for their goalkeeper, United would have lost.
Will and would: politeness and
emphasis These can be used as polite
forms.
If you will/would wait here, I'll see if Mrs Green is free.
Will can also be used for emphasis, meaning 'insist on doing'.
If you will stay out late, no wonder you are tired! (insist on staying out)

Other ways of making a conditional sentence

Supposing, otherwise
Supposing or suppose can replace if, mainly in everyday speech.
Supposing you won the football pools, what would you do?
Otherwise means 'or if not'. It can go at the beginning or end of the sentence.
If you hadn't given us directions, we wouldn't have found the house.
Thanks for your directions to the house. We wouldn't have found it otherwise.
But for
This can replace if not. It is used in formal language, and must be
followed by a noun form.
If you hadn't helped us, we would have been in trouble.
But for your help, we would have been in trouble.
If so/if not
These can refer to a sentence understood but not stated.
There is a possibility that Jack will be late. If so, I will take his place.
Colloquial omission of if
An imperative can be used instead of an if clause in everyday speech.
Sit down, and I'll make us a cup of tea. (If you sit down ...)
If and adjectives
In expressions such as if it is necessary/possible it is possible to omit
the verb be.
If interested, apply
within. If necessary, take
a taxi.
Formally if can mean although, usually as if+ adjective.
The room was well-furnished, if a little badly decorated.
1. Put each verb in brackets into an appropriate verb form.
a) Now we're lost! If you (write down) had written down Marys directions, thiswouldnt have
happen. (not/happen).
b) Why don't we emigrate? If welived.. (live) in Australia, at least the
weather
would be (be) better!
c) I'm afraid that Smith is a hardened criminal. If wedo not punish. (not/punish)
him this time, hewould only commit(only/commit) more crimes.
d) Thanks to Dr Jones, I'm still alive! If it hadnt been (not/be) for
her, I
would be(be) dead for certain.
e) I'm sorry I can't lend you any money. You know that if Ihad ... (have) it, Iwould
lend(lend) it to you.
f) Don't be afraid. If youtouch.. (touch) the dog, it will not
bite..(not/bite).
g) In those days, if you...had.. (have) a job, you were (be) lucky.
h) It's always the same! If I decide (decide) to leave the office early, my boss
calls(call) me after I've left!
i) What a terrible thing to happen! Just think, if we hadnt missed (not/miss)
the plane, we
would have been.(kill) in the crash.
j) Did you enjoy your meal? If you had finished... (finish) eating, I
will clear away ..(clear away) the plates.

2. Decide whether each sentence is grammatically possible or not.

a) If you haven't received a letter yet, you haven't got the job. POSSIBLE
b) If it isn't werent for David, we would have missed are missing the bus
c) If it's raining, we go to the pub on the corner instead = possible
d) If you didn't hadnt lend us the money, we would have gone to the bank
e) If you should happen to change your mind, drop me a line = possible
f) If it wasn't for the rain, we would have been home by now. = possible
g) If you will drive so fast, no wonder the police keep stopping you = dupa if nu avem voie sa
folosim will dar uneori putem pentru a arata insistenta, dorinta de a face ceva -> possible
h) If I had known knew you were coming, I would have met you at the airport
i) But for you help helped us, we would have taken much longer

3 Finish the sentences by ticking the correct option (a-c).

1) If you'd told me you were coming

a) I can get some food in.
b) I'd have found us something to eat. \/
c) I made a lovely dish.

2) If you're too ill to come -

a) I'll come over and see you.
b) I wouldn't have done all this for you.
c) I asked someone else.
3) If I'd known you weren't coming -
a) I wouldn't be very upset.
b) I would like to know why.
c) I wouldn't have gone to so much trouble.
 4) If you're not coming - a
a) perhaps you'd have the courtesy to tell me.
b) we'd never have met.
c) you'd be so lucky.

5) If only you'd come - b

a) I'll be the happiest girl alive.
b) I'd have had a lovely time.
c) I would look forward to it.

6) If you do decide to come - c

a) the party's always a success.
b) I won't be coming either.
c) let me know.

7) If you really don't want to come - a

a) I'll understand.
b) I can't be sure.
c) tell me tomorrow.

4 Complete each sentence with a phrase containing the verb in brackets in an appropriate
form.
a) If I wereto say..(say) loved you, what would you do?
b) If it had not rained.(rain) I would have gone out for a walk.
c) If you'd told me it was a surprise party, Iwouldnt have said (say) anything to
Uncle Dave!
d) Thanks for your help with the garden; I couldnt have done it (do) otherwise.
e) If only Mick had come to the disco, then we would had had.. (have) a great time!
f) if you don`t pay .(pay) the phone bill today, the phone will be cut off.
g) If I hadnt had.(had) your tools, I wouldn't have been able to fix the car.
h) Those wires look a bit dangerous;wouldnt touch.. (touch) if I were you.
i) If it wasn`t for.. (be) the goalkeeper's heroics, we would have lost the
match.

5 Rewrite each sentence three times so that it contains the word in capitals.
a) We won't go away if the weather is bad.
UNLESS...the weath..is good we wont go away
We will ONLY go away if the weather improves
We will stay STAY at homeif the weather is bad.

b) If you hurry up you won't be

late. DON'T
OR hurry up or you ll be late
WANT
If you do not hurry up you
will be late.
Hurry up, or you will be
late.
If you do not want to be
late, hurry up

c) If they offered you the job,would you accept?

WERE TO
SHOULD :
HAPPENED
If they were to offer you the
job, would you accept?
If they should offer you the
job, would you accept?
If they happened to offer
you the job, would you
accept?

d) Without your help, I would have given up years ago.

HADN'T BEEN
BUT
HADN'T HELPED
If it had not been for your
help, I would have given up
years ago.
But for your help, I would
have given up years ago.
If you had not helped (me),
I would have given up years
ago.

e) I'll lend you the money on condition that you pay it back next week.
PROVIDED
LONG
ONLY
I'll lend you the money,
provided (that) you pay it
back next week.
I'll lend you the money, as
long as you pay it back next
week.
I'll only lend you the
money if you pay it back
next week

6. Complete the text by writing one word in each space.

Mr Jeffries, I have decided against a prison sentence in your case. You may walk free from this court on
(1) condition that you report to Chesham police station every Friday for the next six months. Should you
fail to (2)do... so, you will be given one warning; and if you persist (3) in. failing to meet this
obligation, you will return to this court for a harsher sentence (4)unless. you can present good
reason why you were unable to report to the station, you will (5) find.yourself in severe trouble. If
you are (6) unable.. to attend because of illness, please note that a medical
certificate must be produced, signed by your doctor, proving your state of health. You should realise that
(7)but.. for your previous good conduct, I would (8)have... had no hesitation in imposing a
prison sentence. And I shall not forget that if your friend had (9)not. intervened in the fight, you
might (10)have. seriously injured the defendant.

7. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using
the word given. Do not change the word given.

a) I didn't have the money so I didn't buy a new

suit. would
If I had had the money, I would have bought a new suit.
b) If you are in London by any chance, come and see
me. happen
If you happened to.come and see me.
c) If you insist on doing everything yourself, of course you'll feel
tired! will
If you ..will do everithing yourself .., of course you'll feel tired!
d) Please take a seat, and I'll inquire for you.
will
If you will just take a seat., I'll inquire for you.
e) If you do the shopping, I'll cook
lunch. and
You do the shopping..and I'll cook lunch.
f) If Pauline hadn't been interested, the project would have been abandoned.
interest
But forpauline`s interest.the
project would have been abandoned.

g) The fire was brought under control thanks to the night-

watchman. for
If itDick
h) hadn't been
is in for the anight-catchman,
prison because the firehim.
detective recognised would have ..got out of control.

G2) Dick wouldn't.. be in a prison if a detective had not

.recognised him.

i) I am not tall enough to reach the shelf.

taller
If I were a bit taller I could reach the shelf.

j) But for Helen acting so wonderfully, the play would be a flop.

wonderful
If itwerent for Helens wonderful acting ,... the play would be a flop.

k) It won't make any difference if City score first; United will still win.
even
United will still win even if the ..City score
first.
1) Getting up early makes me feel hungry.
get
Ifi get up early it .. makes me feel hungry.

8 Usingthe notes as a guide, complete the letter. Use one or two words in each space. The
words you need do not occur in the notes.
YELLOW BRICK ROAD RECORD COMPANY
MEMO
Brian, tell Carter's again that their account must be paid.
If they don't pay in ten days we're going to have to go to the law.
If they're in financial trouble, they can get in touch with our Finance
Dept. If they pay up we can keep their account open.
If they don't we shall, if we really have to, close their account.
If they have settled the account already, say sorry for this letter.
Credit Controller
Carter's Record Store
Dear Sir/Madam,
We would like to (1) remind you that your account is two months overdue. On the basis of our goodwill,
we are prepared to allow you another ten days to settle your account. However, if you (2)fail. to pay
your outstanding bills within ten days you (3)will leave..us with no alternative but to take legal
action. That is, (4)unless..we receive full payment by 20 March, we (5)will take.. steps to reclaim
our money, plus compensation costs. (6) should.you be experiencing financial difficulties, please
contact our Finance Department. (7) ... provided.that you settle your account within the specified time
period, we (8) will be happy to continue to do business with you. However, we will, if (9)
necessary., take the regrettable step of closing your account. We are sorry that the situation
has come to this, but if you had paid your bills over the last two months, we would not be in this position
now. You (10)may have settled your account in the last two days; if so, please accept our
apologies for this letter.
Yours faithfully,
Brian Eccles
Customer Services
Yellow Brick Road Record Company

Type of conditional If clause Main clause

0 Present simple Present
1 Present simple Will+ vb
2 Past simple Would+vb
3 Past simple Would+have+en